At the HMS Victory

Apparently, people who work in museums have this stereotype that everyone who is under the age of 19 will soon be causing significant damage and heartache.  Because several times already this trip, I’ve received notices like “YOU WILL KEEP YOUR STUDENTS UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES” when we enter museums around here.  I feel like Mad Eye Moody.  CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

Sigh.  By and large, the students and adults of the ISCA program are incredibly well behaved.  Much better behaved, to be honest, than the people working at the London Eye the other day and at the Royal Naval Museum today.  Adults can drive me nuts, sometimes.  Give kids some credit, they can do amazing things if you let them have the chance.

Well, that said, this adult (yours truly) cannot operate an elevator.  I’m pushing the button, why aren’t these doors closing?  I gave up.  And tried to walk away looking non-chalant and all that.  But my students didn’t quite get the hint.  They stayed in the elevator, laughing and making a scene.  And the glare from the security guard was pretty fierce.

Commanding attention at the Naval Museum

We experienced the HMS Victory today, as well as the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth.  The HMS Victory was Admiral Nelson’s ship in the Battle of Trafalgar, and is still an active vessel (well, it’s in dry dock, really, but it is on the active roster) in the British Royal Navy.  Over 200 years old, the tour showed us life on boat a sailing vessel in the 1800′s.  Amazing.   We took in the huge guns, the tiny hammocks and a true understanding of “mind your head” when walking down the stairs.

After touring the Victory, I attempted to take our group into a section of the museum where several figureheads from British vessels were on display.  They may not remember much of the figureheads, but they will remember the overzealous security guard and the elevator that just wouldn’t go up.

Arundel Castle

A short coach ride later, we found ourselves at the home of the Duke of Norfolk, Arundel Castle.  The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conquerer, although much of it was rebuilt in the 1870′s.  The tour of the Castle included the armory, the private chapel, the bedroom furnished for Queen Victoria and the original 11th Century Keep.

The wind today continued to howl.  These high sustained winds are unusual for England, especially in the summer.  The temperature was a bit warmer today, and the sun was out at times, but the wind kept us all huddling under jackets and cover.  As I write this (midnight local time), the winds have subsided.  Thankfully, better weather awaits us tomorrow into London, or so the forecasters say.

I’ve added another teacher’s website to our blog list.  The Woodward Academy group is also blogging, check out their blog here.